Missing six-year-old girl found safe

Summer Haipule was reported missing on Monday night after a family friend spotted the youngster being dragged into a car outside a fish and chip shop less than a mile from her home in Moulsecoomb, Brighton.

A police search had continued on Tuesday morning until at 7.10am a neighbour alerted police to say the youngster was safe and well. Police said Summer was found asleep under a cot at the neighbour's house.

Chief Supt Paul Curtis said the house was visited twice during the night, but not searched. The owner of the house went inside to check on her own child and found Summer asleep under the cot.

Mr Curtis said: "As a result of initial inquiries, we are now conducting a criminal investigation. We cannot tell you any more at the moment." He refused to elaborate but added that no one had so far been arrested.

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A family friend described the moment she saw Summer. Sue Walker rushed to the neighbour's house when she heard Summer had been found. In tears, she said: "Summer's OK, she's safe. When I heard, I just rushed up to this house and scooped her up. She's bewildered."